Seedling's Wind-Up Plan

On June 3, 2022, The Susquehanna Annual Conference voted to wind up and terminate Seedling Financial Ministry over the next few years.

Here are answers to some of the questions you may have:

Why is seedling proposing a wind-up plan?

As we look forward to seeing the viability of Seedling Financial Ministry, we see uncertainty as to the volume of new construction and additions to existing structures for many churches due to Covid and other issues impacting in-person attendance at Church Services as well as other meetings and activities. 

As membership decreases, so does the need for loans. Our mission states that we extend loans to churches. but our last new loan closed in January 2020. If we are unable to make new loans and replace maturing loans in the future, we could experience a significant reduction in our cash flow available to pay principal and interest on our outstanding investment certificates when due. 

Additionally, if we continue down this path, we may be subject to increased scrutiny from our securities regulator. Under the current circumstances, we believe that the timing is right to wind up this ministry over the next few years. 

Why now?

The Board of Trustees, CF&A, Seedling’s Board of Directors, and Cabinet have reviewed and considered all of the relevant information and deem it advisable and in the best interests of the Conference that now is the time for Seedling to wind up and terminate its operations. 

Seedling is currently in a financial position to be able to pay our investors at maturity without having to have church’s payoff their loans immediately. This is a win-win situation in that our investors will receive their funds and our churches can continue making regular payments to their loans.

What happens to my money that I invested with Seedling?

If you have a term certificate, your investment will automatically redeem and be paid out with interest on its maturity date. 

If you have a Savings or Demand Certificate, you can choose to withdraw those funds at any time as long as it is done prior to December 31, 2024. Please contact us to redeem your investments prior to the above date. Any Demand or Savings Certificates still open on December 31, 2024, will be automatically redeemed.

Interest will no longer be able to be compounded, so an interest check will be issued for those who currently have their interest compounded.

What happens to my church’s loan?

Your church’s loan will remain the same. The terms will remain the same and the payments will remain the same. In fact, you will see no change at all. Your church will still be required continue to make payments on their loan until it is paid off.

After Seedling’s investors have all been paid out, the Finance Office will take over the administration of the loans (accepting payments, generating statements etc.). The only change is that we will no longer be able to refinance existing loans or extend new loans to churches.

What is the time frame for winding up?

Since the proposal was approved at Annual Conference on June 3, 2022, the plan will go into effect immediately. We expect that the majority of the investments will be paid out by December 31, 2024, with only the longest-term investments remaining. The last investments to mature will redeem in 2027. 

What is the benefit to Seedling winding up?

We view this as refocus on mission. After repayment in full of all of Seedling’s outstanding investment certificates, and all current loans have been paid back in full, the entire capital account of Seedling will be available to the Conference in which CF&A will oversee and recommend usage for available monies to support existing and/or new ministry opportunities. 

We anticipate the value to be more than $8 million. If that’s the case, Seedling will be able to provide the “seed monies” to fund existing ministries and/or start new mission opportunities.

I will be remaining at Seedling for the next few years to ensure that the Wind-Up plan is facilitated appropriately. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 717-591-4099 or at csims@susumc.org and I will be happy to speak with you. Through the years we have helped hundreds of churches grow their ministry and you can be proud of the ministry you have partnered with. 

Sincerely,

Christine Sims, Executive Director

Honoring Our 2022 Retirees

 Thank you for your faithful leadership.

“Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand...” 

—2 Corinthians 10:15b NIV

Pastor Richard Anderson

11 years

Pastor Matthew Armstrong

22 years

Rev. Nancy Dawson Firestone

31 years

Pastor Richard “Rick” B. Fluke II

17 years

Pastor Deborah H. Harvey

5 years

Pastor Terry L. Hughes

22 years

Pastor James L. Jacobs

11 years

Rev. Jeffrey A Levy

13 years

Pastor Dennis McCleary

27 years

Rev. Sharon Kay Miller

19 years

Pastor Donald B. Perry

10 years

Pastor Chris E. Pfleegor

16 years

Pastor Kimberly L. Phillips

14years

Rev. Susan O. Rogutsky

20 years

Rev. Gary Alan Shockley

40 years

Rev. Mark R. Shover

28 years

Pastor Fredrick C. Snyder II

14years

Pastor Dorothy “Dolly” L. Tarreto

20 years

Rev. H. Janet Tiebert

17 years

Rev. David W. Trostle

39 Years

Rev. Howard T. Woodruff

20 Years

2022 Annual Conference Awards Recipients

 

The Bishop D. Frederick Wertz Award

Recipient: Bishop Neil L. Irons

Lycoming College grants this award annually in memory of Bishop Wertz, president of the college from 1955 to 1968. It recognizes a clergy or lay person who has rendered exceptional service to God through the church. 

The Flying Dove Award

Recipient: Grace United Methodist Church, Hanover

The Peace with Justice Committee of the Conference Board of Global Ministries grants this award to the church that has made the largest financial donation to the Peace with Justice Fund.

The Howard and Elizabeth Brinton Award

Individual Recipient: Laura Inlow

The Brinton Award is in memory of the Brintons, missionaries in Congo and mission interpreters with the General Board of Global Ministries. Howard Brinton established and served as executive director for The Advance.

Church Recipient: Calvary United Methodist Church, Lawrenceville

The Brinton Award is in memory of the Brintons, missionaries in Congo and mission interpreters with the General Board of Global Ministries. Howard Brinton established and served as executive director for The Advance.

The Rev. Dr. Maud K. Jensen/Rev. Dr. Karen E. Layman Memorial Scholarship

Recipient: Pastor Kelly Kocher-Ross

The Susquehanna Conference Women in Ministry grant this scholarship to a female seminarian in memory of Maud K. Jensen and Karen E. Layman. Maud Jensen was the first woman to receive full clergy rights in the Methodist Church in the United States in 1956, and she did so through the former Central PA Conference. She then became a missionary to Korea. No other women were ordained in our conference for many years until a class of women in the 1970s that included Karen Layman. 

The Harry Hosier Award

Recipient: The Journey Church, Harrisburg

Given by the Commission on Beloved Community to an individual or congregation that best emulates the characteristics of Harry Hosier, and early Black Methodist preacher.

The J. Marlene Atanasoff Spiritual Formation Award 

Recipients: Revs. Kristopher and Hannah Sledge

The Center for Spiritual Formation grants this award annually in memory of Marlene Atanasoff, a graduate of the two-year Ministry of the Spiritual Direction program. It recognizes an outstanding advocate of John Wesley’s principles of mercy, justice, and piety. 

The Marty Cox Award For Christian Unity 

Recipient: Carlisle United Methodist Church

The Bishop’s Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations annually recognizes an individual or congregation that demonstrates outstanding involvement in ecumenical ministry. 

The One Matters Award

Recipient: Harrisonville Charge - Asbury, Ebenezer & Siloam UMCs 

Discipleship Ministries annually recognizes the congregations in each annual conference that reported increases in baptisms and professions of faith (as reported in the previous year’s statistical reports). The award celebrates the power of intentional discipleship development and community engagement.

The Thomas K. Cartwright Scholarship 

Recipient: Pastor Daniel Havrilla

The Enlistment and Interpretation Committee of the Susquehanna Conference Board of Ordained Ministry annually awards this scholarship to a young adult who is called to ordained ministry. The award honors the memory of Rev. Dr. Thomas Kevin Cartwright. 

2022 Commissioned as Provisional Elders

2022 Commissioned as Provisional Elders
l-r Elizabeth Jackson, Christopher Weems, Adam Miller

Elizabeth Grace Jackson

was born in Red Lion, PA and graduated from Red Lion Area Senior High School. She earned a BA in Christian Ministries from Messiah College, an MA in Counseling from Biblical Theological Seminary and an MDiv from United Seminary. She is married to Gregory. They have two daughters, Sadie and Callie. She was recommended for ministry by the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon PA (Eastern PA Conference) and currently serves the Lycoming Parish in the Williamsport District. Her favorite scripture is Joshua 1:9. She says “it reminds me of God’s presence as I boldly step into what God has called me to do.”

Adam Wesley Miller 

was born in Williamsport, PA. He graduated from Jersey Shore Area High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College and an MDiv from United Theological Seminary. He is married to Lauren and they are the parents of a son, Grant Wesley Miller. He was recommended for ministry by Trinity UMC, Jersey Shore in the Williamsport District. He is currently serving the Catawissa Parish in the Lewisburg District. His favorite scripture verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says “It is a reminder to me of the joy we have as followers of Jesus Christ and the comfort Christ brings.”

Christopher Edward Weems 

was born in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Pebblebrook High School. His undergraduate work was completed at Paine College. He earned his MDiv from Gammon Theological Seminary. Chris is married to Brianna and is the father of Kamien Jordon Smith. He was recommended for ministry by the church he is currently serving, Balls Mills United Methodist Church in the Williamsport District. His favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39. Chris says, “Because Jesus never did anything that wasn’t dipped down in and dripping with love for human beings.”

2022 Class of Ordained Elders

2022 Class of Ordained Elders
l-r David McElwee, John Bondhus, Hannah Pratt Sledge,
Tammy Blose, Todd Christine

Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Tammy Jane Blose 

was born in York, PA and is a graduate of Red Lion High School. She graduated from Millersville University and earned an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is married to Chad. They have five children, Nathan, Joey, Sarah, Joshua, and David. She was recommended for ministry by Barts Centenary UMC, York District and is currently serving as their pastor. Her favorite scripture is “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7). Tammy says, “This has been the story of my journey of faith, Christ has led me, one step at a time, one moment at time.”

John Wesley Bondhus 

was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He graduated from Cedar Brook Academy. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Baltimore. John earned an MDiv from Wesley Theological Seminary. John is married to Stephanie and they are expecting their first child. John was recommended for ministry by Glen Mar UMC in the Baltimore Washington Conference. He currently serves the United Methodist Church of Wellsboro, Williamsport District. His favorite scripture is 2 Corinthians 5: 16-19. John says, “Paul rightly speaks of the churches need to work toward a common good for all of God’s children, by being reconciled to each other  through the grace and love of Jesus Christ. It is now our job to make sure all of God’s children know that they are loved for the beautiful creation that they are.”

Todd Andrew Christine 

was born in Altoona, PA. He graduated from Tyrone Area High School and earned his undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University. His MDiv was earned at Wesley Theological Seminary. Todd is married to Autumn. They are the parents of Paytyn and Tristan. He was recommended for ministry by Bald Eagle UMC, Altoona District. Todd currently serves Grace UMC, Hanover in the York District. His favorite scripture verse is Ephesians 4:1. Todd says “It is a call to live in every way to love God through holiness of heart and life and in doing so participate in building Christ’s Kingdom on earth.”

David Ronald Andrew McElwee 

was born in Chambersburg, PA and graduated from York Suburban Senior High School. He attended Lycoming College and Cochise Community College. He earned an MDiv from Wesley Theological Seminary. David is also a military veteran. David is married to Samantha. They have two children, Abigail and Andrew. David was recommended for ministry by Park Avenue UMC, Chambersburg PA. David currently pastors East Salem/Otterbein Charge, State College District. His favorite scripture verse is Psalm 91:1-2. He says, “These are verses in which I took comfort while deployed overseas, and a reminder of God’s presence at all times and in all situations.”

Hannah Pratt Sledge 

was born in Franklin, PA and is a graduate of Franklin Area High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Messiah College, and an MDiv from Wesley Theological Seminary. She is married to Kristopher, and they have a daughter, Lydia. Hannah was recommended for ministry by Harrisville UMC, Western PA Conference. She is currently serving Hope UMC, Mechanicsburg in the Harrisburg District. Her favorite scripture verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, says “pray continually.” She holds onto this verse because “Prayer is not something we do on occasion; prayer is a way of life that changes us and the world around us.”

2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference archive

The 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference was held in Hershey PA, June 1-3.

The livestreamed session videos of the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference can be viewed at www.facebook.com/SUSUMC/videos 

The news and events of the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference can be viewed and downloaded from the Annual Conference website at susumc.org/annual-conference/  

Susquehanna Daily LINK (PDF)

The daily publication of the Annual Conference:

Wednesday, June 1

Thursday, June 2

Friday, June 3

Friday, June 3 - wrap-up

AC 2022 T-Shirts are Available

Contact Kim Shockley at kshockley@susumc.org to order our soft black t-shirts with the “Behold, I am making all things new” logo on the back. A limited number of shirts in a variety of sizes from M - 3XL are available.  M-XL are $15, 2XL and 3XL are $20. The proceeds of these shirts fund scholarships for youth to attend Annual Conference at a reduced cost. 

Susquehanna Annual Conference - YSF Silent Auction Basket Donations Needed

Thank you to those who committed to provide baskets for the Youth Service Fund Silent Auction to be held at the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference! It is not too late to participate in this vital fundraiser that will help equip and train young leaders within our church. 

Basket donations may be brought to the conference office from May 23 - 31 or to the YSF Booth at the Hershey Lodge on the morning of Wednesday, June 1. For more information, connect with Alex Raser c/o kshockley@susumc.org.

2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference - Special Offerings

Annual Conference Special Offerings

There will be three offerings received at Annual Conference. There will be an opportunity for people to give during the Annual Conference Session or checks may be sent to the Conference Office or churches can submit with their remittance report.

An online donation option will be available soon. 

BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY FUND (BBCF) - #9300

The Beloved Community Fund is a ministry to help our Susquehanna Conference to:

• resist racism
• promote diversity
• connect churches to their neighbors
• support cross-racial appointments
• build strong race relations

The money received from our people, our pastors and our churches helps to fund projects by churches and conference organizations to accomplish these goals.

This offering will be received during our Opening Celebration Service.

THE CUP OF WATER FUND - #8160

This special fund is a way for we in the Susquehanna Conference can provide help for laypersons and their families. This fund was established to help those persons and families in our local churches who are struggling financially with overwhelming bills, expenses and situations beyond their control.

Laypersons with a great need can talk to their pastor who will confidentially make a request to the District Superintendent. In this small way, together we can support our laity who are struggling.

This offering will be received during the Memorial Service.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S MINISTRY - #7770

The Young People’s Ministry (formerly known as CCYM) is a conference ministry that encourages AND empowers young people to lead in their churches, their communities, their district and the Annual Conference.

This ministry provides ministry grants through the Youth Service Fund. It also helps youth find their leadership and discipleship voice. Anyone who has been to Annual Conference knows the commitment and power of the youth.

This offering will be received during the Ordination Service.

Or, please make checks payable to the Susquehanna Conference and mail to:

Susquehanna Conference
Attn: Finance Office
303 Mulberry Dr.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

On the memo line please indicate the offering to which you are giving along with the Advance special number as given above.

Connecting Ministries: Annual Conference - Face-to-Face!

By Rev. Dr. Kathleen E. Kind, Director of Connecting Ministries

It feels like forever since we’ve met together, doesn’t it? While being able to meet online for Annual Conference for the past two years has helped us to care for the business of the annual conference while keeping each other safe, it just wasn’t the same as meeting in-person. 

With the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference only a few weeks away, we will soon see each other face to face. It will be good to catch up with old friends, swap stories of the ways we’ve been navigating through this season, and share best practices for sharing Jesus with our communities. Additionally, we will be able to worship together, pray with and for each other, and prayerfully care for the business of our annual conference. 

As we prepare to gather this year at Hershey, I encourage us to hold our Annual Conference event in prayer. Specifically, let’s pray for our bishops and their leadership; for the work of the annual conference; for one another and our churches; for those who will be caring for us at Hershey Lodge; and for the movement of the Holy Spirit so that we will be a people transformed because of our time together.

I look forward to being together and seeing what God is doing in our midst!